What is MIME type "video/matroska-3d"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The video/matroska-3d MIME type is a container format designed for 3D videos. It builds upon the Matroska Multimedia Container and lets you store two video streams—one for each eye.
This arrangement creates a stereoscopic effect on 3D displays.

It supports various codecs and extra data like multiple audio streams and subtitles. Such flexibility ensures compatibility with modern media players.

It is used for files such as MKV, MKS, MKA, and MK3D.

3D Video Support: Holds dual streams for a true stereoscopic experience.
Codec Flexibility: Works with many compression methods.
Rich Media Storage: Accommodates multiple audio tracks and subtitles.

For technical details and further exploration, visit Matroska.org.

Associated file extensions

.mkv, .mks, .mka, .mk3d

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: video/matroska-3d

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="video/matroska-3d">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'video/matroska-3d');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.mkv, .mks, .mka, .mk3d

FAQs

What is the primary file extension for the video/matroska-3d MIME type?

The specific extension associated with this MIME type is .mk3d. While standard Matroska video files use .mkv, the .mk3d extension explicitly signals that the container holds stereoscopic 3D video content.

How do I configure Apache to serve .mk3d files correctly?

You need to update your .htaccess file or server configuration to recognize the extension. Add the line AddType video/matroska-3d .mk3d to ensure browsers and media players interpret the file as a 3D Matroska video rather than a generic binary stream.

Do web browsers natively support video/matroska-3d playback?

Generally, no. Most modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) do not support the Matroska container or the video/matroska-3d type natively in the HTML5 <video> tag. Users typically need to download the file and view it in a dedicated desktop player like VLC or use a JavaScript-based web player.

How do I add support for video/matroska-3d in Nginx?

Open your mime.types file (usually located in /etc/nginx/) and look for the types block. Add the entry video/matroska-3d mk3d; to the list. After saving the file, reload Nginx with sudo service nginx reload to apply the changes.

What is the difference between video/x-matroska and video/matroska-3d?

The standard video/x-matroska (or video/matroska) type is used for general 2D video content in .mkv files. The video/matroska-3d type is specifically reserved for files containing stereoscopic 3D streams, helping compatible players automatically switch to the correct 3D display mode.

Which media players can open video/matroska-3d files?

Versatile media players such as VLC Media Player, MPC-HC, and PotPlayer support the Matroska format and can handle 3D content. You may need to manually select the 3D aspect ratio (e.g., Side-by-Side or Top-Bottom) depending on how the video streams are encoded within the .mk3d file.

Why am I getting a 'codec not supported' error with this MIME type?

The video/matroska-3d type describes the container, not the video compression inside. If you see this error, your player likely lacks the specific decoder for the video stream (such as H.264, HEVC, or VP9) stored within the Matroska file.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.